The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) harassed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels on Friday while they were conducting marine scientific surveys and sand sampling near Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the PCG, BFAR vessels BRP Datu Pagbuaya and BRP Datu Bankaw encountered aggressive maneuvers by three CCG vessels—4106, 5103, and 4202—which disregarded the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).
“Fortunately, the skilled seamanship of the BFAR crew prevented accidents during these confrontations,” the PCG said.
Harassment Details
In addition to the maneuvers, the CCG deployed four small boats to target two BFAR rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) transporting personnel. Adding to the tension, a PLAN helicopter with tail number 24 hovered dangerously low above the RHIBs, creating hazardous conditions due to the propeller wash.
As a result of the persistent harassment, BFAR and PCG suspended their operations and were unable to collect sand samples.
“Both BFAR and PCG remain committed to their mandates and will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their personnel and vessels,” the PCG emphasized.
China’s Response
The China Coast Guard released a statement asserting its “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands, including Sandy Cay, which it calls Tiexian Reef. China claimed that Philippine vessels entered its waters without permission and attempted to collect sand samples “illegally.”
China’s extensive claim over the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, has been contested by the Philippines and other nations. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal ruled that China’s claims have no legal basis, but Beijing has rejected the ruling.
History of Harassment
Sandy Cay has been a frequent site of tension:
- September 2023: Dead and crushed corals were discovered, reportedly due to China’s preparatory activities for reclamation.
- March 2024: Filipino marine scientists were injured after a PLAN helicopter harassed them, scattering dead corals with its downwash.
- May 2024: The Philippine government declared Sandy Cay in a “degraded state,” with low coral and fish diversity caused by overfishing, climate change, and island-building activities.
China continues to claim nearly the entire South China Sea, a region critical for global trade and disputed by several Southeast Asian nations.